Single Incident Information

All planned prescribed fires are weather-dependent and will likely be conducted between late April and early fall, when appropriate moisture, fuel and wind conditions are more likely. 

Ottawa National Forest Proposed Prescribed Fire Projects

Project Name - Acres - Purpose of project

Little Falls,  20 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

1300 Railroad,  27 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

Bond Falls,  80 acres,  Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

Black Spruce,  3 acres, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Maintenance

Lucky Charm, 55 acres,  Enhance Oak Regeneration

Soo Hemlock,  10 acres,  Enhance Hemlock Regeneration

Black Harbor 2 Enhance Native Plants/Pollinators

Cooks,  93 acres,  Reduce Hazardous Fuels

Camp Nesbit,  18 acres,  Reduce Hazardous Fuels

Dinner Lake Piles,  21 acres,  Reduce Hazardous Fuels

Paystreak Piles,  19 acres,  Reduce Hazardous Fuels

Total Acres 348

Maps for the units' possible 2024 prescribed fire are available here:

• Upper Peninsula Fire Management Map

During active burning, smoke and flames may be visible from roads and in areas downwind of the burn site. Smoke may settle in some areas in the evening hours; however, ignition days and times will be adjusted to avoid smoke sensitive areas. If you have health problems that may be aggravated by smoke, please contact your nearest Zone Fire Management Officer. Affected individuals will be notified of prescribed fires that are conducted on Forest Service Lands in their vicinity the day of the burn.

• Ottawa National Forest: Forest Paukert,  (906) 358-4036

Prescribed burning provides benefits to our natural resources as well as reducing hazardous fuels on our National Forests. The Forest Service’s goals in burning wildlife openings are:

• Provide improved breeding and foraging habitat for early successional and cavity dependent species.
• Set back vegetative succession and maintain wildlife openings.
• Maintain burn units as part of a system of fuel breaks (including safety zones, escape routes, staging areas and control lines).
• Remove or reduce the impact of non-native invasive species.
• Reduce the risk of wildfires by reducing hazardous fuels.
• Train personnel in the use of wildland fire in a safe and efficient manner.

The Forest Service’s goals in conducting site preparation burns are:

• Naturally regenerate pine using prescribed fire.
• Kill red pinecone borer larvae.
• Stress over-story red pine to enhance cone production.
• Reduce hazardous fuel loading within unit.

Please contact your local Forest Service office (Hiawatha offices, Ottawa offices) if you have any questions.